Eremus tigris, 2018

Ingrisch, Sigfrid, 2018, New taxa and records of Gryllacrididae (Orthoptera, Stenopelmatoidea) from South East Asia and New Guinea with a key to the genera, Zootaxa 4510 (1), pp. 1-278 : 180-181

Eremus tigris sp. nov.

Figs. 60 A–B, 61A–B, 102J

Eremus sp. Ingrisch, 1987

Material examined. Holotype (male): Nepal: Prov. Gandaki, Baglungpani , elev. 1550 m (28°15'N, 84°20'E), 21.x.1983, leg. S. Ingrisch—(Bonn ZFMK).

Other specimens studied: same data as holotype— 1 male (paratype) (Bonn ZFMK).

Diagnosis. The male abdominal apex of the new species with a pair of tooth-like projections from ninth abdominal tergite as well as the shape of the subgenital plate is similar to the situation in E. rugosifrons (typus generis) as described and figured in Karny (1929a); it differs by the membranous zone between the projections that is absent in the latter species; moreover the head is less wide and the face less rugose than in E. rugosifrons . In Eremus oberthuri Griffini (1913a) the male subgenital plate is similar to that of E. rugosifrons and the new species but the apical projections of the ninth abdominal tergite are missing. E. basalis ( Walker, 1869) and E. elegantulus Bolívar, 1900 have the apical margin of the subgenital plate projecting between the bases of the styli while in the new species it is concavely emarginated.

Description. Small to medium sized species ( Figs. 60 A–B). Head: Face ovoid; nearly smooth, finely shagreened; fastigium verticis distinctly wider than scapus; ocelli indistinct; fastigium frontis separated from fastigium verticis by a fine suture; subocular furrows distinct, widening ventrad to a wide depression ( Fig. 61A ). Abdominal tergites two and three each with two rows of very small stridulatory pegs (3, 3–5; 5–6, 4–5; n = 2 males).

Wings reduced to minute pads not reaching hind margin of corresponding notum.

Legs: Fore coxa with a spine at fore margin; fore and mid femora unarmed; fore tibiae with 4, mid tibiae with only 3 pairs of ventral spines (in one male first pair completely lacking, in the other male there is a minute spine on external side, on the right legs on both sides) and 1 pair of very small ventral spurs; hind femur with 4–6 external and 3–7 internal spines on ventral margins; hind tibia with spaced spines on both dorsal margins, ventral margins without pre-apical spine; with 3 apical spurs on both sides.

Coloration. General color intense dark yellow with black marks; vertex black; pronotum yellow with black rim; legs brownish red with coxa, trochanter and genicular area black; thoracic sternites black; abdominal sternites yellow with black margins except for hind margin which is yellow. Face black with an oval yellow spot on fastigium frontis; clypeus and labrum dark brownish red, margin of clypeus yellow.

Male. Eighth abdominal tergite black; prolonged and towards end globular. Ninth abdominal tergite black, together with preceding segment globular; apical margin in middle bent proximad and split forming a small ovoid membranous zone; apex on both sides of midline with a short acute tooth ( Fig. 61B ). Tenth abdominal tergite forming a short black band; sub-interrupted in middle by small epiproct. Epiproct semicircular, in middle with a strongly sclerotised groove with a deeper pit at tip; paraproctes forming large black plates mediad of bases of cerci, and meeting in midline. Eight sternite shorter but wider than preceding sternites with lateral margins up-bent; subgenital plate wider than long, little vaulted in basal area, afterwards little depressed except at both lateral margins, apical margin concave; styli very small, inserted at little projecting lateral angles ( Fig. 61B ). Phallus membranous.

Female unknown.

Measurements (2 males).—body w/o wings: 22.5–25.0; pronotum: 4.5; tegmen: 0; hind femur: 11.5–12.5; antenna: 90 mm.

Etymology. The name of the new species refers to the striped abdomen; from Latin tigris tiger; noun in apposition.

Figures

FIGURE 60. Genus Eremus: A–B, E. tigris sp. nov. male paratype (A) and holotype (B); C–E, E. r. rugosifrons Brunner, 1888 male type BrW9787 (C–D) and female (E); F–G, E. nigrifrons Brunner, 1888 female type; H, E. b. basalis (Walker, 1869) female holotype; I–J, E. geniculatus Brunner, 1888 female type BrW17.124.—Lateral view (A, C, E–F, H–I), dorsal view (B, D, G, J). Scale 10 mm (Brunner's types not to scale).

FIGURE 61. Genus Eremus: A–B, E. tigris sp. nov. male paratype (A) and holotype (B); C–D, E. nigrifrons Brunner, 1888 female type; E, E. sp. male ("Eremus nigrifrons Br. =? basalis Walker" det. Karny); F, E. b. basalis (Walker, 1869) female holotype; G–K, E. geniculatus Brunner, 1888 female paratype (G–H), female holotype (I) and male paratype (J–K); L–N, E. r. rugosifrons Brunner, 1888 male type BrW9787 (L–M) and female (N).—Face (A, C, G, L), male abdominal apex in ventroapical view (B, E, K, M), end of female abdomen with seventh sternite, subgenital plate and base of ovipositor (D, F, H–I, N), habitus lateral view (J).